Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of working wrist splints in people with
rheumatoid arthritis.
This review adhered to
the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses
guidelines. Ten databases were searched from inception until September 2012 for
quantitative and qualitative studies on the effectiveness of working wrist
splints in rheumatoid arthritis. DATA EXTRACTION: Data was extracted on
participants, interventions, outcome measures and results. Experimental studies
were evaluated using the van Tulder scale and the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool.
Data was extracted by a single reviewer and all studies were reviewed by two
blind reviewers. DATA SYNTHESIS: Twenty-three studies were included in the review
(n = 1,492), 13 experimental studies including 9 randomized controlled trials
(RCTs) and 2 qualitative studies. Data was summarized using best evidence
synthesis and a meta-ethnographical approach guided qualitative evidence
synthesis. There is strong quantitative evidence (including 9 RCTs), supported by
conclusions from qualitative literature, that working wrist splints reduce pain
(d = 0.7-0.8), moderate evidence that grip strength is improved (d = 0.3-0.4) and
dexterity impaired and insufficient evidence of their effect on function.
CONCLUSIONS: Working wrist splints reduce pain and improve grip in rheumatoid
arthritis. The effect of splints on function is not yet clear.

Langue : ANGLAIS